Defamation

In Florida, defamation can take the form of libel or slander, and both can seriously damage your reputation.

Defamation in Florida

Defamation is a false statement made about someone that harms his or her reputation. It can be broken down into two categories: libel and slander.

Libel
Libel refers to written or published false statements, including those made in newspapers, online articles, or social media posts. To prove libel in Florida, you must establish the following elements:

A false statement was made in writing or published.
The statement was about you.
The statement was published to a third party.
You suffered harm to your reputation as a result.

See Barry College v. Hull 353 So. 2d 575 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977).

Slander
Slander involves spoken false statements that damage someone’s reputation. The elements to prove slander in Florida include:

A false statement was spoken about you.
The statement was made to a third party.
The statement harmed your reputation.

Florida law recognizes that slander can be just as damaging as libel, especially in cases where the false statements are about someone’s professional abilities.

See Rissman, Weisberg, Barrett, 742 So. 2d 451 (Fla. 5th DCA 1999).

Defending Your Reputation

False statements can have serious consequences, affecting your personal and professional life. If you believe you’ve been a victim of defamation, contact my firm today for a consultation.